EU executive head backs start of punitive action vs. Hungary over rule of law

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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he supported the European Parliament’s decision on Wednesday to open a punitive procedure against Hungary for persistently flaunting democratic rules.

The procedure, called Article 7, can theoretically go as far as suspending of Hungary’s voting rights in the EU.

“If I was a member of the European Parliament, I would have voted in favour of Article 7,” Juncker said in a tweet.

“The European Commission is using the tools we have, launching infringement procedures against countries that don’t respect EU law. Am in harmony with today’s decision,” he said.